Pro Pundits - Lateriser

India’s reigning FPL champion answers Double Gameweek 26 questions

Fantasy Premier League managers are always full of questions whenever there’s a Double Gameweek and this week we face the biggest in the game’s history.

Given that my season is down in the dumps, I thought I would take some of these questions and try to help you guys instead.

Let’s get started…

QUESTION ONE

Who are the Bench Boost enablers and cheap defensive options? Also can you look into how defence is the only differential currently in the game as the template grows stronger?

(from @fplmasalah)

Hi Nehal, thank you so much for the question. When it comes to enablers and cheap defensive options for the Bench Boost, there are lot of options that have come to the fore recently. 

Two teams that have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26, and have displayed some really strong performances of late are Fulham and West Brom. 

The Baggies have a great run of fixtures in the next three Gameweeks where they face Brighton and Hove Albion (home), Everton (home), Newcastle United (home) and Crystal Palace (away). 

Sam Allardyce’s men are 11 points off safety at the moment and what this tells me is that in these next four games, they have to go the win and try to accumulate three points. 

The way West Brom played against Burnley while they were down to ten men really caught my eye. I have been really impressed by their new forward Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) who seems to be getting a big chance every game he’s playing.

In the last four Gameweeks, out of all the players costing £6.5 million or less, Diagne is top of the table for big chances and xG non-penalty. I like his fixtures, his underlying numbers and the recent form for the team. I also prefer Diagne to Fulham’s Josh Maja (£5.5m) primarily because of the fixtures Maja has after Double Gameweek 26 where he faces Liverpool (away) and Manchester City (home) in Gameweeks 27 and 28 respectively. 

In defence, I quite like the look of out-of-position defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) who is finding himself in the box very often for this West Brom team. He could have easily had a goal and assist in the Burnley match.

Gameweek 21 Scout Picks features another Man City triple-up

Fulham’s defensive numbers have been very impressive as well which is why Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) is my favourite budget goalkeeper option for the Bench Boost. 

In the last six matches, Fulham are amongst the top five defences in the league for shots in the box conceded. They have kept four clean sheets in the last seven games and, in general, have tightened up at the back. In addition, Areola has a match in Blank Gameweek 29. 

Fulham’s motivation cannot be questioned at the moment. Scott Parker has galvanised his troops and they are in the midst of a very interesting relegation battle. They are going to treat each match as a cup final which is why I like the budget picks emerging in defence and in attack.

With regards to your comment where defence is the only differential in the game at the moment, I strongly disagree. Son Heung-min (£9.5m) is owned by 51% of the game and has scored only one goal in his last eight Premier League starts. The likes of Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) and Kevin De-Bruyne (£11.8m) are still owned by under 20% of the game. Harry Kane (£11.1m) who has a good looking Double Gameweek in 26 and some decent follow up fixtures is still under 30% owned. 

While I agree that there are a lot of good differential picks emerging in defence and that it has been very difficult to beat the template this season, it is not the only place to make ground.

QUESTION TWO

How the top 10k FPL managers set their teams up for Double Gameweek 24

What is the best time for using the Free Hit Chip?

(from @m7mdi_Rm)

My Wire co-host and fellow Pro Pundit Zophar has looked at this in detail. You can read that by CLICKING HERE.

QUESTION THREE

Double Gameweek 26 Scout Picks built on Man City and Everton assets 3

Rank these defenders considering fixtures: Marcos Alonso (£5.7m), Lucas Digne (£6.1m), Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), Luke Shaw (£5.1m), John Stones(£5.2m)/ Ruben Dias (£6.1m)

(from @FPLfrasier)

There is a lot of interest in defenders at the moment which is why I thought I would take this question on. So here’s what I think. 

First up, I would have one of the Manchester City defenders as my pick. Despite Pep Guardiola mentioning that he’s going to constantly rotate his team, Dias looks fairly nailed-on and is still very cheap for what he offers. 

The way Manchester City are playing at the moment, it will be a surprise if they don’t keep a clean sheet. They have four games in the next two Gameweeks and you would expect them to shut their opponents out in at least three of them. 

I really like Shaw right now. I have been talking about him for a long long time. The Manchester United man is the cheapest defender of all those you have mentioned and his underlying statistics are off the charts. 

Salah and Fernandes blank again as focus shifts to defensive assets 8

In the last six matches, Shaw is second for chances created among all outfield players in the league not. Not just that, his delivery has a lot of quality, he’s on set pieces and in the last two games in particular, he’s been coming a lot closer to goal. I would not be surprised to see Shaw get a goal as well very soon. I’m not particularly worried about his rotation threat either. 

My third preference is potential out of position Pereira. He looked great against Aston Villa and there is a lot of upside with this pick playing on the right-wing for Leicester City. They have good follow-up fixtures after the Double Gameweek as well. 

My fourth preference is Digne and surprisingly Alonso is my least favourite option primarily because of what I saw at the weekend. Thomas Tuchel was visibly not happy with Alonso’s performance in the draw with Southampton and if we are to jump on Alonso, I think the right thing to do would be to judge his performance in two very difficult games in Double Gameweek 26 and if he comes through that unscathed. Chelsea have good fixtures after that so it’s a matter of one or two Gameweeks where Alonso could move from my fifth choice to first or second based on how he does in the over the next few days

QUESTION FOUR

What should I do with Danny Ings (£8.5m)?

(from @tanyasharma)

It does not look very encouraging for Ings at the moment does it? Personally I think there is enough upside in removing him for Double Gameweek 26 considering one of his two fixtures in Double Gameweek 27 is against Manchester City.

The moves to make would be either an upgrade to a trigger-happy Harry Kane (who is a real captaincy option for me) or a downgrade to a fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) who has a very good set of fixtures in Double Gameweek 26. 

That’s it from me for this round of The Burning Question. I hope you enjoyed this article.

For more discussion, you can watch the latest episode of the FPL Wire linked below where we had both Tom Freeman and Zophar on a Wildcard, which made for a really interesting episode.

804 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with my backline on Wildcard, would appreciate any thoughts?

    Martinez, Cancelo, Keane v Ederson, Digne, Targett?

    Martinez
    Keane Cancelo Stones
    Gundogan Bruno Salah Barnes
    DCL Kane Vardy

    Steer Strujk Mitchell Smith Rowe

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't get Steer on WC.

      1. Uns95
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can get another, that aside though, what is your view on the defensive question?

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Awesome and fairly nailed first 11. Poor bench could hurt tho.

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I prefer the defence you got now.

  2. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    are there any managers out there using the WC at moment but do not have FH left?
    This is my squad and i have 1FT which would be Antonio to DCL but even with some more hits im thinking WC might be better option? or nay?

    Martinez
    Maguire Dias Dallas
    Bruno Salah Sterling Raphina
    Cavani Antonio Bamford

    coufal, bissouma, mitchell

  3. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do it for -8? No BB.

    Grealish + Mee + Ings -> Barnes + Digne + Watkins.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do the move without Mee for -4

      1. tissae
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thats the move I'm trying the hardest for tbh

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just Grealish > Barnes?

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sell one from:

    A) Sterling - decent form but many not play both games
    B) Son - no form but should get the minutes

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      Son's ownership is still very high...and remember his goal against Burnley last year

  5. CBS
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What should I do?

    A: ings and madison to vardy and barnes

    B: bamford and madison to DCL and barnes

    1. Fudge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  6. jpb333
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with whether to replace Grealish with Barnes or Son.

    Obviously form and stats say Barnes, but Son is a quality player, that surely has to start banging again soon. He’s got Palace after the double and plays 29.

    Anyone with me on this…?

    1. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neither? Play Son this week and Grealish could be back soon.

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barney

  7. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On WC, and I have come up with this:

    Martinez
    Cancelo - Dias - Shaw
    Son - Salah - Bruno - Gundo - Barnes
    Kane (C) - DCL

    Fabri - Konsa - Burn - Brewster

    Not worried about GW29 as I still have FH (and TC), but feel like my bench may be too weak going forward, thoughts?

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That is pretty much exactly my WC draft but I have Stones instead of Dias.

      1. marpy016
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, it does feel kinda template, but guess that might not be a bad thing.

        I could swap Dias for Stones to release 0.4 (Had Dias from early), but think Stones is slightly less nailed. Though I'm sure Pep will make fools of us all.

        Do you have your FH left?

        1. aapoman
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes looks like a template WC draft but don't think many people not WCing that their team looks like this. I still have my FH left.

          1. marpy016
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            You raise a valid point there, I had just been comparing to WC'ers, as opposed to the community overall.

            Having that FH will come in very useful in terms of potential flexibility e.g maximizing potential Everton & Villa double in GW28, without having to worry about GW29 impacts.

            Best of luck for the rest of the season!

  8. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you rather have:

    A. Kane and no Everton
    B. DCL and no Spurs
    C. DCL and Son (-4)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  9. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which to transfer out to afford Kane (TC)?
    (A) Salah
    (B) Fernandes
    (C) Son

  10. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dunk -> Pereira (-4)

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neigh.

  11. Fudge
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Dier + DCL

    B) Digne + Watkins

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford > Watkins worth a -4?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dont think that it is. And I signed Watkins.

      1. Bob.
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I did it. But I was 50/50 over it and through feck it why not!

    2. Ian Davis
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Also unsure about this one, will probably end up doing it due to Villa’s pending extra DGW

    3. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m looking at the same transfer... depending on team structure I think it could work out, especially if villa get a DGW 28.

      1. Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah + fixtures until 28 are looking better for Watkins as well. Only thing that is putting me off is Bamford's hattrick against Villa earlier this season. Imagine how I would feel if he does it again.

  13. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    One for the draft side.

    Who'd you start?

    A) Raph (AVL)
    B) Maja (cry, TOT)
    C) Cavani* (che, cry)

  14. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you still do Grealish-> Barnes now, since Maddison is a serious doubt?

    Also, Smith saying Grealish might be back for Sheffield game.

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m keeping Grealish mate, but I have no FH left so will just bench him this week!!

  15. Fudge
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy, Struijk, Maddison, Ings
    to
    Ederson, Dier, Barnes, DCL

    worth a -12? don't need to do Dier or Barnes but I think they'll recover the points on my BB

    1. Ian Davis
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s a big hit, but probably just about worth it, especially as you’ll have Ederson for both DGWs

  16. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you BB this? -12, not planning to upgrade keeper over the season.

    Steer Targett Bamford Dallas.

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Keeper, no BB for me.

      1. tissae
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No BB during the whole season then?

  17. Inspector Gadget
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender for 4.8 or less on a BB?

    Rest of defence is:
    Martinez, McCarthy
    Cancelo, Stones, Shaw, Dallas, XXX

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina

  18. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys that Wildcarded in advance of the fixture announcement.

    Just curious to know how you fared out for the DGW and if you had to take additional measures to get the team you want for the DGW?

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lost out on 34 pts by using WC 1 week early. Can get the team I want for this week with a (-4) which was the plan all along so okay in that regard

    2. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It worked out to plan... except for picking maddison over Barnes. But injuries can’t be helped I guess.

    3. Davemc23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wildcarded in GW24 in order to maximise burnley, city in 24, soton, leeds in 25 and bb26. The only thing which went wrong was soton not having a double in 26 so I now have 3 soton players playing away to everton in 26 which means I won't bench boost like I had planned to do. Will use triple captain instead. Happy with how it worked out overall though. I wouldn't have had Lowton or Gundo for their hauls without the wildcard

  19. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mcarthy (Sanchez)
    stones cancelo rudiger targertt (dallas)
    salah bruno son gundogan (rafina)
    watkins kane (Bamford)

    is this good to go with bb no ft left

    1. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      if you're certain leeds will do well against villa.

      otherwise you're BB'ing 4 single GW players, meaning you could always save and look for a future GW where your team have better match ups.

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Leeds should beat villa.

        no everton or leicester in my team is the worrying part, felt as if i wasted the wc last week getting rudiger

  20. WG010692
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more this week

    Kane
    DCL

    1. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Harry

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's not that easy I'm afraid.

      1. WG010692
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Wish it was haha

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Same, I've gone Kane for -4 but no DCL who is really scaring me, might even WC to get him.

          1. WG010692
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Struggling with getting kane in, only option is below really, not sure its worth the hit,

            Mendy, Ings and Lowton -> Martinez, Kane (TC) and Mitchell -8

            Mendy - (4.0)
            Cancelo Dias Lowton (Dallas Coufal)
            Salah Son Gundo Bruno (Raphinha)
            Bamford Ings Watkins

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Can you afford Son, Ings > Barnes, Kane? That's really tough, I'd be tempted to just do Ings > DCL in your position since you at least have Son who surely can't continue to be as bad, I've now got double Spurs attack when Jose is in complete meltdown mode.

              1. WG010692
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Yeah I agree, the Kane Barnes is a good idea actually, just worried about GK, but suppose I have 3 weeks to get my BGW29 keeper in anyway.. thanks mate!

  21. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who's the cheapest viable DGW26 defender, likely to play both ?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Fulham.

      Aina is great.

      1. Bob.
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Went for Aina too. Could be good he's on good form

      2. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Aina a good shout

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bartley, 4.4

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        At 4.4., I can get Son over Barnes - but whether that makes a difference is another matter

    3. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      if you can stretch to 4.6.... i'm looking at maitland niles

    4. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mitchell too risky?

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Too risky yes

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy Konsa

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good choice, but would prefer under 4.5

  22. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think will be Kane's EO this GW? Do you think it can break 200%?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think captaincy will be too split for that.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        From what I've seen he is the most popular option for this GW. Also consider that many poeple will probably triple captain him

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No way - barely over 100%

    3. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, it won’t even be as high as Bruno

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      around 130 maybe

    5. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No way. he's only owned by 29% so he'll not break 100%

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Overall probably not but for higher ranks it will be much higher. For example Raphinha's ownership wasn't even 10% overall but around 100k rank it was 50% last GW

        1. mezza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          There will still be plenty in higher ranks going without Kane.

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But Ok, Kane was only owned by 20% of managers in the top 10k last week. Most of the people will be rushing to get him in, but I doubt he will reach the levels of Bruno or Bamford with both with almost 100% ownership

    6. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently under 30%, can't see that ownership past 40% - so EO less than 100% I think

  23. ElChapo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal > Shaw -4

    Shaw starts and bench Mitchell.

    any better moves?

  24. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I will start Mee,would you start Johnstone over Pope?

    1. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yep

  25. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Still undecided whether to FH or WC.
    This is my current team:
    Martinez (Johnstone)
    Coufal - Stones - Cancelo (Dallas Coufal)
    Son - Bruno - Sterling - Barnes (Raphinha)
    Bamford - Cavani - Antonio

    What would you with it?
    1) WC now to the team below with BGW29 in mind, FH in GW33
    Martinez (Fabri)
    Stones- Cancelo - Shaw (Burn, Strujik)
    Gundo - Salah - Bruno - Barnes -Son
    Dcl - Kane (Maja)

    2) FH to this team, WC in GW31
    Ederson
    Dias -Pereira- Shaw
    Gundo - Salah -Bruno -Barnes
    Kane - Dcl - Watkins
    Subs: Fabri, Burn, Mitchell, 4.4mid

  26. Chief Break-Everything
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Dec-Reid -> Watkins -4
    B) Play Bamford

    1. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B, watkins is a frustrating own.

      Especially if no grealish.

  27. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Time for triple captain?

    I'll probably go for Kane, but Sterling, DCL and Bruno could be contenders.

    1. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      i'm currently debating this.

      I've ruled Sterling out as a benching is due.

      Also rules out Bruno as I know we'll struggle against Palace.

      Debating Salah vs. DCL.

  28. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it a suicid move to go without Salah on WC? Salah to KDB allowed me few upgrades.

    Wc team:

    Martinez
    Dias Digne Pereira
    Kdb Bruno Gundo Barnes Pereira
    Kane(C) DCL

    Steer Bamford Dallas White

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If i had a spare FT or on a WC I'd have KDB over him.

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thx.

  29. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which GW is the most likely when Everton-Villa to be played?

  30. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Currently holding double Burnley defence in the form of Pope & Lowton and looking to shift them for a -4.
    Would you:

    A) Ederson & Konsa (-4)
    B) Martinez & Stones (-4)

    Or avoid the hit and do the other tfr in 27:
    C) Ederson & Lowton (no hit)
    D) Pope & Stones (no hit)

    Rest of team:
    xxx
    Cancelo-Dallas-xxx
    Salah-Bruno-Gundo-Son-Raphina
    (K)ane-DCL

    Forster-Bamford-Mitchell-Holding

    1. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ^ Bottomed ^